The Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio have been on sale for roughly 10 years and were already scheduled to leave the production lines, specifically this year. In their place, the Italian manufacturer had planned to introduce two fully electric successors - but that is no longer quite the case.
The Arese brand now joins the growing list of manufacturers taking a step back from an all-electric model range. The launch of the next Giulia and Stelvio has been pushed back, and production of the current cars will be extended by a further two years, running through to 2027.
Alfa Romeo’s electrification plan changes pace
Stellantis had set out a clear objective: to make Alfa Romeo a 100% electric brand by 2027. However, market realities have forced a rethink, and the brand has opted to adjust its approach to match a more gradual energy transition across the European market.
Why the current Giulia and Stelvio will remain in production until 2027
This delay is largely tied to the development of versions with internal combustion engines that were not originally part of the plan. Until that work is completed, today’s Giulia and Stelvio will stay in production - still without any form of electrification.
Four-leaf clover models return too
While the new generation is still some way off, Alfa Romeo has also officially confirmed that the acclaimed Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Quadrifoglio will return in 2026. Production of both was paused last month, but it is due to restart from April 2026.
Major changes are not expected. Both should continue to use the Ferrari-derived 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, although it remains unclear what updates will be required for compliance with the future Euro 7 standard (which comes into force on 29 November 2026).
The next generation
Underpinning the successors to Alfa Romeo’s two largest models will be the STLA Large platform - a multi-energy architecture compatible with both fully electric systems and combustion engines. It is the same platform already introduced with the Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S.
On the one hand, there is already some information about what an all-electric Stelvio could look like; on the other, when it comes to a hybrid Stelvio, there are still far more questions than answers.
On the EV side, we know STLA Large supports 400 V and 800 V architectures. It can accommodate battery packs between 85 kWh and 118 kWh, offer two- or four-wheel drive systems, and quote driving ranges of up to 800 km.
For the hybrid versions, it is not yet known which type will be used - a full hybrid (no plug), a plug-in hybrid, or a lightly electrified 48 V mild hybrid.
That uncertainty also raises questions around the combustion engine that would sit within such a system, as there are several plausible options.
We know Stellantis is preparing to launch an updated 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol unit called the Hurricane GME T4 EVO, but it is also possible it could use the Hurricane GME T6 EVO instead. This features a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six and can produce up to 550 hp - and it is already used in models from Jeep, Ram and Dodge.
Ultimately, the key point is that the next Giulia and Stelvio are expected to offer buyers a choice of different powertrains.
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